Reinforcement for concrete.



' C. F, VARNEY.

REINFORCEMENT FOR CONCRETE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. I915.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

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C. F. VARNEY.

REINFORCEMENT FOR CONCRETE APPLICATION FILED JUNE I0, I915. Lgfiflfi Patented Oct. 24,1916.

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[7 anion CHARLES E. VARNEY, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 HIMSELF AND PETER IGOE, 01E NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

REINFORCEMENT EOE. CONCRETE.

Specification ,of Letters Patent.

Patented @ct. 24L, 119th.

Application filed June 10, 1915. Serial No. 33,243.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. VARNEY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Newark, in, the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reinforcements for Concrete, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improve ments in reinforcements for concrete, and more particularly to the shape and form of the-bars, rods or other elements adapted to be used as tension oars, shear bars, and the like and connected to make a composite reinforcing str'ucture.

I am aware that bars have been especially designed with a series of deformations on opposite sides and of such form that two bars may be fitted together 'and prevented from relative longitudinal movement when embedded in the concrete. with which I am familiar have certain objectionable features which, by my invention, I seek to overcome. Either the deformations or surface irregularities of the bars so interlock that only the upper surface of the upper bar and the under surface of the lower bar have any interlocking engagement directly with the concrete, or laterally presented projections and depressions render the bars of varying cross-sectional area along theirlength, or such v projections and depressions interfere with the free movement of a clamping member along the length of the bar, or render the use of such clamping means ineffective save at predetermined spaced points, or require more than one set of rollers to produce all of the deformations or surface irregularities.

By means of my invention, I. am able to assemble a series of rods, bars, or other ele ments, to form a composite structure or reinforcement and in so doing, I am able to secure a large number'of advantages which I do not believe it has been possible to secure with any type of bar heretofore designed.

In making a combined structure or rein-.

forcement,.I get an efficient interlocking'of adjacent bar parts against relative longitudinal movement; I may use bars of various different sizes and shapes but each of uniform cross-section along its length and each properly anchored in the concrete independently of the others; and I may easily slide close-fitting clamps along the bars and All of such bars lock the latter against relative, lateral, or

longitudinal movement at any desired point and I can form all of the deformations with a single pair of rolls, if desired.

Bars constructed in accordance with my invention may be of various different sizes,

bling a combined reinforcing structure, I

may select any number of different sizes of bars to get the most effective distribution of metal and may connect different sizes or shapes of shear bars to the same tension bar. or may superpose a series of tension bars of different sizes, the largest being placed where there is the greatest strain. The large reinforcing elements of a large beam or long span may be connected to the smaller reinforcing elements of a smaller beam or shorter span. Innumerable combinations and arrangements of bars of the same or different shapes or sizes may be assembled to make compound reinforcing structures to fit any demands. i

I have designed various different specific forms of reinforcing elements. each possessing certain individual advantages, but I do not wish to be limited to these specific forms as various others may be designed within the spirit of my invention and without departing from the scope of the appended claims. I, therefore, desire the accompanying drawing and the detailed descrip- Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sections on the side elevation and transverse section, respectively, of a further modified form; Fig. 12

-is a side elevation of a further modified form; Fig. 13 is a transverse section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a top plan view of another form; Fig. 15 is a transverse section on the line 1515 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a top plan View of a still further form; Fig. 17 is a transverse section on line 17-17 of Fig. 16; Figs. 18 and 19 aretransverse sections through a plurality of superposed bars and showing different forms of clamps; and Fig. 20 is a side elevation of an assembled structure on a Very much reduced scale. In the specific form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the bar has a body portion 20 approximately cylindrical in cross section. On each of two diametrically opposed sides of the body I deform the bar to present surface irregularities to interlock with another bar. These are here shown as two series of depressions 21 and elevations 22. The elevations 22 of one row are arranged adjacent, transversely of the bar to the depressions 21 of the adjacent row, and each depression 21 is on the opposite side of the body from a corresponding projection 22. The edge of each row of depressions and projections is preferably wavy or sinuous and symmetrical, the projections corresponding in shape to the interposed depressions so that the bar is of uniform cross sectional area at all points along its length. Furthermore, the wavy line of one row of projections and depressions corresponds in shape, curvature, pitch, etc., to the wavy line of the other rows.

Although the two rows of depressions and projections which are on the same side of the-body of the bar, may be spaced apart so as to leave a groove, channel, or smooth surface therebetween, yet preferably I form the two rows closely adjacent to each other so that there is no appreciable space therebetween and so that the inner side face of the projections of the two adjacent rows lie in the same radial plane indicated by the line u-a of Fig. 4.

When two bars are superposed, the projections and depressions on the bottom of one bar will interlock with depressions and projections of the upper side of the lower bar. If the bars be bound together by a clamp or by concrete, or in any other manner, relative longitudinal movement will be prevented and at the same time, the engagement of the side faces of the two rows of projections and depressions will prevent any relative lateral movement of the two bars.

The other two diametrically opposed faces of the body of the bar, which are midway between the faces presenting projections 22 and depressions 21, may be flat, convex, concave, longitudinally grooved, or otherwise designed to include straight line elements extending longitudinally of the bar. In the specific form shown in Figs. 1 to 1 inclusive, these opposed surfaces 23 lie in parallel planes tangent or approximately tangent to the circumference of what I have designated as the body portion 20 of the bar. The portions between these tangent planes a'nd a true cylindrical surface constitute ledges or shoulders 24 having their lateral faces straight and their upper and lower edges presenting projections 25 and depressions 26. 1 have shown these projections and depressions, wavy or sinuous and of substantially the same shape, pitch and size as the projections 22 and depressions 21 arranged along the upper and lower sides of the bar although it is neither necessary nor important. The distance across the lateral surface 23 of the bar from one depression 26 to the opposite projection 25 is materially less than the diameter of the body of the bar or the distance from a projection 22 or depression 21 on the upper surface to a corresponding depression 21 or projection 22 on the opposite surface. Thus, when twobars are superposed -and interlocked, the projections 25 and depressions 26 will not interlock but will be spaced apart so that concrete may enter therebetween. This concrete will effectively hold each bar against longitudinal movement irrespective of its locking engagement with the other bar. Two such superposed bars may be clamped together by any suitable form of clamping means, the details of which form no portion of my invention.

By reason of the straight line surface laterally presented 'by each bar, any such clamping means as may be employed may be pressed directly against the straight line surfaces and slid alongthe superposed bars to the desired position. Due tothe fact that there areno laterally presented depressions and projections, the location of the clamping means may be selected at will.

Between the surface irregularities or deformations on the upper and lower surfaces which are designed to interlock with other bars and the surface irregularities or deformations on the lateral sides of the bar which are designed to interlock with the concrete. the body of the bar has a surface portion 27 for direct contact with the concrete. The shape of this surface may be varied without limit so far as my invention is concerned and it will, to a certain extent, determine the shape of the body portion of the bar and naoaaaa a bar having a body portion 30 substantially square in cross section. I have shown the upper and lower surfaces each provided with two rows of depressions 21 and projections 22 closely adjacent to each other and spaced from the edges of the body portion. Although this arrahgement of the two rows close together is desirable, yet, under certain circumstances, I might have the two rows on each sidespaced apart to expose therebe tween some of the surface of the body portion. In this form I have shown the two lateral faces of the body portion presented with ledges 34 which have fiat outer surfaces 33 and wavy or sinuous upper and lower edges, thereby presenting upwardly and downwardly facing depressions 26 and projections 25. The surface portion 37 of the bar, which is exposed between the top deformations and side deformations, presents a rigid or longitudinally extending projection or flange. "This may be deformed in any suitable manner if desired to increase the locking engagement of the bar with the concrete.

In describing the space between depressions, I do not wish to be understood as implying that these so-called depressions are beneath the surface of the body portion of the bar. In the two forms shown in Figs. 1' to 4 inclusive, and Figs. 5 and 6, the depressions 21 do not extend beneath the surface of the body portion and are, in fact, at their deepest point, substantially flush with this surface. It is of course evident that depressions on one surface may be entirely beneath the normal surface of the body ortions and those on the opposite surface ush so that the tops of the projections on the first mentioned side will lie substantially flush with the surface of the body portion and project out on the other. Also, it is possible to adopt any means between these two extremes. In Fig. 7 I have shown a form with a square body 40 very similar to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6, except that the depressions 21 and projections 22, although of the same size and shape as those in Figs. 5 and 6, are partly countersunk, and the de-. pressions extend beneath the normal surface 47 of the body of the bar to the saline extent that the tops of the projections extend above said normal surface. This particular arrangement has the advantage that when two similar bars are superposed the flat normal surfaces of the body portions of two bars may lie in direct contact with each'other. If the projections anddepressions on one side of the bar were entirely beneath the normal surface, then two similar bars could not be interlocked unless those on the opposite side projected beyond the latter. If the projections and depressions are entirely above the normal surface as in Figs. 1 to 6, then upon superposing two similar bars, the normal surfaces 27 or 37 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the height-of a pro jection. I

Instead of having the bar round or square in cross section, I may have a body portion 50 octagonal in cross section, as shown in Fig. 8, or I may have a rectangular body portion as shown in Fig. 9, or I may have the body portion oval, hexagonal, or of any other desired form. In the various forms shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, the diameter of the body portion is materially greater than the width of two adjacent rows of projections 22 and depressions 21, but this is not at all essential. In Figs. 10 and 11, I have shown a form in which the body portion is of a width substantially equalto the total width of the two adjacent rowsof projections and depressions. This form has the same ledges for interlocking directly with the concrete.

In Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive, the surface of the body portion between the projections and depressions which lock the bars together and the depressions and projections which look the bar in the concrete, is a straight-line surface. In Figs. 12 and 13, I have shown a form very similanto that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive except that the surface 87 of the body of the bar 80 is also wavy or sinuous so as to have an interlocking action in the concrete.

It is not essential that the projections and depressions, which lock one bar to another, shall be in a direction radial in res ect to the axis of the bar. In other words, t e projections no longer vary inaltitude, but they may be on the side of a ridge or flange and thus the said ridge or flange will vary in thickness rather than in height sothat when two bars are superposed with the deformed surfaces of the ridges or flanges in engagement with each other, one bar cannot be moved longitudinally without being laterally displaced a distance equal to the height of the projections.

In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown a form in which a, bar having an oval body portion 90 has a ridge or flange 98 along the upper and lower sides. The ridge or flange is of uniform height throughout its length and one lateral surface is substantially straight. The other lateral surface is-wavy or otherwise formed to present depressions 91 and projections 92. Preferably, the flange is disposed at one side of the medial plane so that said medial plane cuts midway of the height of the projections. Thus, when two bars with the adjacent flanges or ridges upon opposite sides of the medial plane are superposed, the axis of one bar may be directly above'the axis of the other. Neither bar can be moved longitudinally in respect 10 to the other without a lateral movement.

In the various forms of bars shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive, the upper surface is substantially symmetrical with the lower surface. This is not essential as I have pre- 15 viously indicated, as one surface may have small. depressions and the opposite surface merely elevations. In the form shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the body portion 100 of the bar is provided in one surface with a groove 20 disposed between two spaced ridges or flanges 108, and the opposite surface'of the bar is provided with a single ridge or flange 109. The inner opposed surfaces of the two ridges 108 are placed apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the ridge or flange 109, and the contacting surfaces are deformed by being provided with any form of laterally extending projections and depr'essions so that when two bars are superposed, the flange or ridge 109 of one will fit into the groove between the ridges or flanges 108 of the other and the two bars will be locked against relative longitudinal movement. In the two forms shown in Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive, the body portion may of course be square, rectangular, symmetrical, or of any other desired cross sectional form.

As one important feature of my invention, all of the bars, irrespectiveof the size orshape, and which have one character of surface irregularities, are provided with the same spacing, height and contour of projections and depressions. In this way, two bars may be superposed and locked together irrespective of their relative sizes orshapes. The smallest bar may be locked directly to the largest, or a round, or oval bar may be locked to a square, octagonal, or rectangular bar. This is of importance in building up of compound reinforcement. In making compound reinforcing bar for lower portion of a deep concrete beam, I may superpose a series of reinforcing bars, the largest being at the bottom where it has to withstand the greatest strain and the smallest nearer to the upper edge of the bar where the strain is less. Thus, I may use the mini-, mum weight of metal with the maximum efficiency. Two bars of different shapes or sizes may be overlapped at their ends and bound or locked together, or shear bars of one size or shape may be 'clampeddirectly to a' tension bar of different size or shape. A clamp A may be made of a width to receive the widest bar and of a height to receive the series of superposed bars and a wedge B may be driven in between the upper bar and the encircling member of the clamping device. The bars are prevented from lateral, as well as against longitudinal, 10 movement by the interengaging projections and depressions. Of course wedges may be driven in at the sides of these smaller bars if desired, or specially designed clamps, such as C, may be made with different portions of the opening therethrough of different widths so as to engage with the sides of all of the superposed'bars, or the clamps shown may be replaced by wire or other means for binding the parts together. 30

Although I have designated a portion of the bar as the body portion, and other portions as projections and ledges, yet it is of course evident that these all form integral parts of the same bar and in actual 5 construction there may be no definite line of demarcation between these so-called portions. In actual practice the parts will usually be rolled and therefore there would not, in ordinary practice, bequite such sharp angles between adjacent surfaces as are shown in the drawing[. Furthermore, opposed surfaces which have shown in the drawing as being parallel, may in practice slightly converge in opposite directions to permit the parts to freely leave the corresponding surfaces of the rolls during manufacture.

1 have referred to certain portions of the bars as the upper, lower and lateral faces, but these terms are of course relative as the bars may, in assembling, be placed side by side instead of one on top of the other, in which case the bars would be turned over so that the interlocking projections of one bar 'would face the ad acent bar irre spective of whether the latter be above, below, or at the side.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a plurality of superposed bars each having a body portion of any cross section and each having its 0 pcsite sides presenting straight line sur aces and its upper and lower surfaces presenting two rows of vertically directed depressions and projections closely adjacent to each other, the projections of one row being transversely opposite to the depressions of the other row and the "projections of one bar adapted to enter the depressions of the other to lock the bars against relative longitudinal movement, and each bar presenting a series of surface irregularities facing toward the upper and lower sides for direct engagement in the concrete independent of the adjacent bars.

2. In combination, a plurality of superposed reinforcing bars, each having a body of uniform cross-sectional area at" all points along its length and each having its opposite sides presenting straight line surfaces other bars, whereby the projections of one bar enter the depressions of the other to lock the bars against relative, longitudinal and transverse movement, and each bar presenting a series of upwardlyand down wardly facing projections and depressions for direct engagement in the concrete independent of the adjacent bars.

3. A reinforcing bar for concrete having a body portion of uniform cross-sectional area at all points along its length and having its opposite sides presenting straightline surfaces and having its upper and lower sides each presenting two rows of vertically directed depressions and projections, closely adjacent to each other, the projections of one row being transversely opposed to the depressions of the other row, and auxiliary pairs of opposed projections and depressions extending upwardly and downwardly be tween said straight-line surfaces and said first mentioned projections and depressions the width of each of said straight-line surfaces being materially less than the diameter of the bar, whereby when said bar is superposed on a similar bar the first mentioned projections and depressions of the two bars will interlock to prevent relative longitudinal or lateral movement of the bars and said auxiliary depressions and projections will interlock directlv in the concrete.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York this 8th day of June, A. D. 1915.

CHARLES F. VARNEY.

Witnesses CLAIR \V. FAIRBANK, FLORENCE LEVIER. 

